Research Centres: The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families in partnership with Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
Location: This international collaborative research study will be conducted through virtual means
Principal Researcher (Phoenix Australia): Dr. Winnie Lau
Additional Researchers: Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families: Sara Rodrigues, MaryAnn Notarianni, Catherine Virelli, and Fardous Hosseiny; Phoenix Australia: Carol O’Dwyer, Sophie Alexander, Dr Sean Cowlishaw, and Professor Meaghan O’Donnell.
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee, Project ID: 23595, and the University of Ottawa’s Institute for Mental Health Research REB

• Are you a Canadian Veteran?
• Perhaps a current partner of a Canadian Veteran?
• Are you an ex-partner of a Canadian Veteran?

This study might be for you.

If you are eligible for this study, you will receive an honorarium payment for your participation.

The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, in partnership with Phoenix Australia-Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, is conducting a research study to try to understand how service providers can provide better help to Canadian Veterans and their partners (or ex-partners) who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). This is a virtual research study and is open to those who are residing in Canada. This study invites Canadian Veterans and/or partners or ex-partners of Canadian Veterans to share their experiences. Specifically, researchers want to better understand Veterans or Veteran’s partners/ex-partners’ experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) which might include experiences of behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm such as physical violence, sexual violence, sexual coercion, emotional (psychological) abuse, threats of harm, and controlling behaviours.

The research is also wanting to better understand Canadian Veterans and/or their partners’/ex-partners’ perceptions of service use inside and outside of the veteran-specific support service system. This research is needed to help improve the experiences of Veterans and their partners/ ex-partners who experience IPV as well as inform how services can better meet their needs.

• Participants will be helping researchers better inform how services can be provided and improved for those experiencing intimate partner violence.
• Individuals who are eligible for the study will receive a gift card honorarium valued at $50 CAD upon their completion of the study.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those who experience intimate partner violence in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance research that will inform policies and practices in the family violence and IPV field.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

• Aged 18 years old or over
• Must be either:
  • Veteran of the CAF or RCMP
  • Partner of a Canadian Veteran of the CAF or RCMP
  • Ex-partner of a Canadian Veteran of the CAF or RCMP
• Must have experiences of Intimate Partner Violence (e.g. physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological or emotional abuse)
• Must have used or attempted to access support services in the context of family violence or IPV
• Must be able to read and speak English
• Must have access to technology for video conferencing

The study team will explain and provide more details about the research in its entirety, but some details are:

What participation would involve

• Participation in this project is for research purposes only, and relevant information gathered from this project will be given utmost discretion.
• Participants will be asked about their safety before proceeding with the interview. If it is determined that your safety may be at risk, you will be referred to a member of the clinical team who can talk to you about safety strategies and facilitate support services if needed.
• If safe to proceed, participants will be asked to take part in a 60-90 minute online (zoom) interview conducted by a trained clinical researcher experienced in interviewing people who have experienced IPV. During this interview, participants will be safely asked to describe their experiences of intimate partner violence and their experiences with IPV support services. This interview will be audiotaped.
• Participants can withdraw their participation at any time.

Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families

The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families works with Veterans, Families, service providers and researchers to bridge the divide between research and practice so Veterans and their Families can get the best possible mental health care and supports. The Atlas Institute was originally established as the Centre of Excellence on PTSD and Related Mental Health Conditions, through the Minister of Veterans Affairs November 2015 mandate letter, with funding and budget announced in the March 2017 federal budget.

We work with Veterans, Families, service providers, and researchers to identify the best possible mental health care and supports for those who have given so much to Canada.

Phoenix Australia (Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health)

Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in posttraumatic mental health. As a not-for-profit organization, Phoenix Australia is committed to conducting a wide range of innovative research studies and clinical trials looking into the causes, impacts, and treatment of trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Research is conducted with a strong focus on military and veteran services, but also on the general population and within hospitals, health and community settings, emergency services, and industry and workplace sectors. It is Phoenix’s goal to improve understanding of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, as well as treatment outcomes for survivors of trauma.

Please note:
The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families and Phoenix Australia-Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health maintain COVID safe practices. This study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person visits and no requirement to be onsite for the study, allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home.